But wasn't there a thread recently where it was discussed that the major manufacturers have a limited number of resoles... like only 2-4 times max, and then they refuse to work on the shoe any further.

I know that DW took alot of flack for his whole gemming critique for RTW shoes but it seems like it could lend some credence to structural integrity vs. # of resoles a good shoe can take.

seriously, 4 resoles is like 25 years, minimum. I can't think of a single shoe I have ever seen which went through 4 resoles out of practicality. People tend to just naturally retire shoes after about 20 years, no matter what. Or they die.

seriously, 4 resoles is like 25 years, minimum. I can't think of a single shoe I have ever seen which went through 4 resoles out of practicality. People tend to just naturally retire shoes after about 20 years, no matter what. Or they die.

Minimum? How large is your rotation? There was a thread about sole life like a month ago, there were two guys in there who claimed to get about 30-50 wears before needing a resole (walking 2 miles daily on pavement). Surely that's one extreme, but I have trouble believing the average person is getting more than say, 200. My guess is the average person is probably rotating thru 2-3 pairs and has to resole every 2-3 years. I also recall that 4 number is the high end (EG?), and that AE and C&J only do it twice.... but my recollection is hazy.

From my experience, shoes (e.g. Pal Zileri) worn once or twice weekly lasted 18-20 months before needing a resole; my Church's & CJs are taking longer to 'wear'. Based on my experience, take 2.5-3 years as sole-life for Church's worn once weekly, with 3 resoles possible that should be 10-12 years. Depending on the condition of the shoes, i. throw the shoes away, 2. get a quality resole from a third party, or 3. get a local cobbler resole the shoes and add topy. For shoes worn once-per-fortnight, make that 20-24 years and for people with a monthly rotation, double that.

seriously, 4 resoles is like 25 years, minimum. I can't think of a single shoe I have ever seen which went through 4 resoles out of practicality. People tend to just naturally retire shoes after about 20 years, no matter what. Or they die.

But isn't the SF man's ultimate goal to be buried in his finest monks; such that should he later be exhumed by a future generation, his shoes will be preserved in such acceptable condition as to be sold on the B&S forum, exemplifying the superior craftsmanship of his age?

seriously, 4 resoles is like 25 years, minimum. I can't think of a single shoe I have ever seen which went through 4 resoles out of practicality. People tend to just naturally retire shoes after about 20 years, no matter what. Or they die.

not on NYC sidewalks... 4 resoles is probaby 10 years with once per week wear.

seriously, 4 resoles is like 25 years, minimum. I can't think of a single shoe I have ever seen which went through 4 resoles out of practicality. People tend to just naturally retire shoes after about 20 years, no matter what. Or they die.

A few months ago I read an article about Tony Blair. He wore the same pair of church's shoes for more than 18 years. He resoled them 3 times and he is still wearing them.

The costs/hassles of resoling/refinish, etc make little economic sense vs getting new shoes

Have similar view on cars...have one car for both daily commute and wkend fun; enjoy it for 6-12 mos and trade-in for a new copy....life's too short to deal w/maintenance downtime/costs/hassles of either multiple cars or keeping any car beyond 10K mis or 1yr....and fun to spec latest/greatest in both new cars and MTO shoes/MTM clothes

There was a thread about sole life like a month ago, there were two guys in there who claimed to get about 30-50 wears before needing a resole (walking 2 miles daily on pavement). Surely that's one extreme, but I have trouble believing the average person is getting more than say, 200.

My guess is the average person is probably rotating thru 2-3 pairs and has to resole every 2-3 years. I also recall that 4 number is the high end (EG?), and that AE and C&J only do it twice.... but my recollection is hazy.

Providing the upper is sound then there should, in theory, be no reason why you can't have them re-soled again and again. I was in C&J last year and they showed me a shoe that was over 40 years old and in for re-soling. They handled it like fine bone china. A rarity, no doubt.

But isn't the SF man's ultimate goal to be buried in his finest monks; such that should he later be exhumed by a future generation, his shoes will be preserved in such acceptable condition as to be sold on the B&S forum, exemplifying the superior craftsmanship of his age?

Don't laugh ....my late father-in-law (RIP) went down with a very fine pair of nubuck suede shoes I gave him that came from the famous Squire Shop in Sydney which he particularly liked.

not on NYC sidewalks... 4 resoles is probaby 10 years with once per week wear.

If you want really hard wearing shoes, take a strong consideration of cordovan with double soles. Put toe-taps on them and make sure you replace the taps when they wear out. Those taps are a great way to keep your shoes from wearing out the toes too quickly.

I'm not really seeking hard-wearingness, just appraisals. Also, I'm not a fan of cordovan, and isn't it the case that you resole when the first layer of sole wears out on a double sole? Does that add anything at all, in that case? (In terms of wear, not insulation etc).

I like the idea of toe taps, but no one has replied regarding whether they violate C&J's or EG's terms about only resoling virgin shoes.